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Press Release

Bulgarian National Sentenced for ATM Skimming

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – A Bulgarian national was sentenced today in connection with a scheme to create counterfeit ATM cards and to withdraw money from the bank accounts of unsuspecting customers.

Georgi Kanev, 33, a Bulgarian national, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 30 months in prison and restitution to be determined at a later date. On March 16, 2021, Kanev pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Kanev and a co-conspirator installed skimmers and cameras on two Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank ATMs over a period of approximately four weeks in July and August 2013. The devices allowed the conspirators to obtain magnetic strip information and PIN numbers from ATM customers. The information was then used to create counterfeit ATM cards to withdraw funds from the compromised accounts.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Frederick J. Regan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Edgartown Police Department and the Oak Bluffs Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Updated May 26, 2021